Nigeria, May 24 -- Nigeria's natural wealth stretches far beneath its soil. With over 44 types of commercially viable minerals, including gold, granite, and the increasingly sought-after lithium, the country holds an enviable reserve of resources. Yet the contribution of the solid mineral sector to national income remains dismally low, hovering at less than 1.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. In contrast, oil and gas continue to dominate revenue despite their vulnerability to global price volatility and environmental concerns. This disparity points not to a lack of potential but to a range of deep-rooted governance and regulatory challenges.

Gold has long been associated with Nigeria's mineral economy, especially in northern state...